Kin are Graham Walker and Stewart Veitch 

Orcadian saxophonist Graham Walker had many important formative musical experiences in his Kirkwall youth, including playing oboe during a tour of Italy with the Peter Maxwell Davies opera The Two Fiddlers.

As a seventeen-year-old he decided to take up the saxophone following the advice of a music teacher; initially the alto, before switching to tenor and soprano – mainly self-taught. The following year he moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne to do a four-year languages degree, which included time spent living in the USSR. Following graduation, he immersed himself in the local music scene, playing in various pop and jazz outfits, then worked as a musician on cruise ships. This accumulated experience led him to study at the Guildhall School of Music – the highlight of this time being a Guildhall Big Band concert with Randy Brecker, at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in 1990.

In 1993, he and his wife moved to Belgium, where they remained for twenty-three years. Graham played with many top Belgian musicians and gigged throughout the country – leading his own trio Raise 3 and also a larger Miles Davis fusion era-type group. Since returning to Scotland in 2016 he has played in big band and small group formats, including the Inverkeithing Community Big Band.

Graham’s musical philosophy is influenced strongly by the great saxophonists of the past, including Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Stan Getz, and many others, who are all inspirations for the melodic content and warmth of tone in his playing.

Linlithgow based guitarist Stewart Veitch has always lived in Scotland and over the years has played in various folk, indie, pop, and rock settings – most notably with power pop quartet Splendid who were active in the Scottish music scene in the late 90’s early 00’s gigging extensively and releasing 3 albums on their own label. He has also played and recorded with singer-songwriters Steve Butler (ex Lies Damned Lies) and Alan Windram (ex Splendid). More recently Stewart has played in experimental post-rock/folk noir duo Holm with Frank Glynn on violin and viola, releasing 2 albums and playing gigs ranging from the Hidden Door pop-up festival to Shore Poets spoken word events and supporting Kiwi legend Don Mc Glashan (ex Mutton Birds & Crowded House) at Oran Mor. Stewart is a highly idiosyncratic guitarist who creates hook-laden, shape-shifting soundscapes on his Telecaster.

The newly formed Kin duo (electric guitar and saxophone) play original material – a mesmerising mix of atmospheric post-rock and improvised jazz. Post-rock meets post-bop. There is a big ECM Records influence in their sound but with echoes of late Talk Talk.